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A massive police operation, understood to have involved around 300 officers, saw Queen Square cordoned off for the anti-Sharia demonstration and rally, which was joined by extreme right groups the English Defence League and South West Infidels.

Police cordon at Old Market roundabout

They marched from Temple Meads, down Redcliffe Way and over Redcliffe Bridge.

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Once inside the Queen Square cordon, a crowd estimated by police as being around 65, listened to Anne-Marie Waters, who is standing for UKIP leadership, and former EDL member Tommy English, the organiser of Gays Against Sharia, give speeches.

The organisers of the rally denied being on the “far right” of the political spectrum and Ms Waters claimed that the only fascists were the 'anti-fascist' demonstrators.

The Gays Against Sharia protest heads along Redcliffe Way with a police escort

Around 100 anti-fascist activists plus protesters from Bristol’s lesbian, gay, bi- and transgender community and Stand Up To Racism and Bigotry were kept together in Castle Park in a bid by police to separate the groups.

At one point those from the coalition of unions and anti-fascist groups made a surge around the Old Market roundabout to meet with the other group, but were fended off by police.

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At one point a woman with a large pink fancy dress claw lay down in front of the march in a bid to bring it to an end before she was picked up off the floor by officers.

One shouted at the police: “These are our streets. We live here. You are protecting neo-Nazis and we aren’t allowed to walk down our streets.”

Police used special powers in the city centre to ban banners, flags and placards that might incite disorder or hatred; anything that could be used to cause injury or damage and face coverings, masks or scarves used to conceal identities.

Counter-protesters are kettled in Castle Park by police to prevent them reaching the Gays Against Sharia demo (Image: Jon Kent)

A force spokesperson said afterwards: "We would like to thank members of the public in Bristol city centre today for their patience and understanding while we facilitated a number of protests.

"A large intelligence-led operation was mounted to facilitate the events, with the underlying aim to ensure those working, living and visiting Bristol remained safe.